Walmart to close down all health centers, including 9 across Tampa Bay area
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Walmart decided Tuesday to close down all 51 of its health centers across six states, including all 23 health centers in the state of Florida.
A statement released by Walmart Corporate said that it would be ending its Walmart Health program, which it launched in 2019.
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The corporation said it was closing all its centers after determining that it was not a profitable business model.
“The decision to close all 51 health centers across five states and shut down the virtual care offering was not easy,” the statement said. “We understand this change affects lives – the patients who receive care, the associates and providers who deliver care and the communities who supported us along the way. This is a difficult decision, and like others, the challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs create a lack of profitability that make the care business unsustainable for us at this time.”
Prior to the decision, Walmart Health had 23 centers in Florida, with nine in the Tampa Bay area.
The cities where these centers are located are listed below:
Brandon
Hudson
Jacksonville (5)
Kissimmee (2)
Lutz
Middleburg
New Port Richey
Ocoee
Orlando (3)
Pinellas Park
Plant City
Sanford
St. Petersburg
Wesley Chapel
Winter Garden
Zephyrhills
Instead, Walmart will be focusing one further developing its “nearly 4,600 Pharmacies and more than 3,000 Vision Centers.”
According to the company, associates who were employed at the health centers will be able to transfer to any other Walmart or Sam’s Club store and will be paid for 90 days. After that time period, they will receive severance benefits, should they choose not to transfer.
Walmart’s healthcare providers will also provide care while the clinics are open and will be paid by their respective employers for 90 days.
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